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T&e jtmen Corner 



AND OTHER POEMS 



DAVID H. SCHOCK 




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COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS 



^he Amen Corner 

AND 

OTHER VERSES 



^ 



BY 

DAVID H, SCHOCK 



^ 



PITMAN GROVE, N . J. 

REVIEW PRINTING COMPANY 

1906 



iLIBfiARYofOOKtirM^iS]! 
Two Copies KetwvsL: 

J C OPY a. ^ J 



75 3^31 



Copyright. 1908, By David H. Schock, 
Lmwood, N. J. 



PUBLISHED FEBRUARY. 1908. 



^ 



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DEDICATION 

Dedicated to the Class of 1 863 
Of 

The New Jersey Annual Conference, 

By 

The Author. 



CONTENTS 

Title Page 

The Amen Corner 9 

Memorial Day 16 

Good Friday 17 

Easter 19 

Easter 21 

Evening Hymn 23 

A Prayer 24 

Agnus Dei 25 

Christmas 27 

Peace On Earth 29 

A Mosaic 30 

TheRedbird 35 

The Crocus , 37 

The Eclipse of the Man in the Moon 38 



THE AMEN CORNER 

How shall the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of 
thanks ? — Paul. 

PART FIRST 



In a church retired, in a quiet wood, 

— We old folks were young folks then — 
On either hand where the pulpit stood. 

Was a comer we called the Amen. 
Sleepy Hollow, the frivolous said. 

Heavenly Rest, said some. 
But what's in a name ? through sun or shade 

You would see the old folks come, 
At mom or eve of the Holy Day, 

And quietly entering, then. 
Would bow their heads in the Amen Corner, 

And softly say Amen. 
2. 
The Local Preacher always sat 

At the end of the forward pew. 
His red bandainna, and white cravat. 

Distinguished in the view. 
Abeit, a worthy man, well tried. 

Obedient to his call. 
His office duly magnified 

As saith Apostle Paul, 
Nor loth to exercise his gifts. 

He beamed wath unction when 
He was holding forth, and the Amen Comer 

Responding in full Amen. 



3 

There was the old Class Leader too, 

Of countenance benign. 
Unlearned in many things — he knew 

The Book of Lore Divine. 
A burning and a shining light, 

No feeble flickering ray. 
His counsel guided each aright. 

His life led on the way. 
There with his little faithful band. 

In holy converse, then 
That morning class in the Amen Corner, 

Claimed birthright in Amen. 
4 
We smiled sometimes at these good old folks. 

Who dressed so quaint and queer. 
Mothers in Israel, in shawls and pokes. 

Fathers in old odd gear 
And fashion, adrift from the days of yore. 

We called Aunt Sallis, Antique. 
No gold, gems, ribbons, nor feathers galore. 

Adorned their persons meek ; 
A lowly mind — in plain attire. 

They deemed more fitting, when. 
They met there, in the Amen Corner 

To worship the Lord, Amen. 
5 

He giveth to his beloved sleep. 

As of old the Psalmist said. 
So should the sermon be somewhat deep 

Or tame, they might nod the head. 

10 



Or if the weather was very hot, 

And the atmosphere impure. 
The drowsy sexton having forgot 

To unbar a window or door ; 
But, when the preacher was all on hand, 

And shook himself loose again. 
They'd wake with a start in the Amen Comer, 

And shout Amen, Amen. 

6 
They feared not the urchin's godless mirth. 

Nor scorn of the Pharisee, 
The pride of the rich and great of earth. 

Nor cultured dignity. 
They had no fear of aught save sin. 

But kept them true and pure. 
While faith, hope, charity, went in 

As they passed through the door, 
Seeking to get near God by faith. 

To touch his garment's hem, 
In that holy place, the Amen Comer, 

To worship and say Amen. 

7 
Supremely blest, old ill or poor, 

They seemed while waiting there. 
In every gospel sermon, sure 

To get the largest share. 
They fed on manna, on smgel's food, 

And wines upon the lees. 
In pastures green, where waters flowed, 

They lingered at their ease, 

n 



And talked with God, whose saving grace 

Was magnified in them. 
It was Beulah land, that Amen Comer, 

And vocal with Amen. 
8 
Then when the great revival came, 

And backsliders were restored ; 
When lagging saints were put to shame, 

While children praised the Lord ; 
When awful fears on sinners fell. 

And gave them trouble sore. 
Because the bitter pains of hell, 

Gat hold of them once more ; 
When dews of grace fell all around 

Refreshing many, why then, 
It was Pentecost in the Amen Comer, 

Hallelujah to God, Amen. 

PART SECOND 

1 
But that queer comer is vacant now. 

No voices echo there. 
We look in vain for that peaceful brow, 

For her with the silvered hair. 
For a tall lithe form, much bent and thin. 

For him with trembling pace. 
For our spinster sister prim and trim. 

For a calm pale angel face ; 
They have vanished there, and the place is bare 

Of these holy women and men, 

12 



They meet no more in the Amen Corner, 
To unite in their glad Amen. 



They have gone up there 

Where the angels are. 
And souls of the justified. 

Their lamps were trim, 
They entered in. 

The Bridegroom with the Bride. 

They stand among 
The unnumbered throng 

Before the great I Am, 
And help prolong 

The mighty song 
Of Moses and the Lamb ; 

On each clear brow 
Is shining now 

The victor's diadem. 
But silent is the Amen Comer, 

And the pew never says Amen. 



They moved the old church 

From its ancient seat. 
Converting it into a hall. 

Where the minstrels meet. 
And the new elite, 

Give their annual charity ball. 
They built another, the modern kind, 

Of marble, brick, and granite, 

13 



A splendid church as you may find 

On this old-fashioned planet. 
" Praise God from whom all blessings flow," 

Peals from its silvery bells. 
The " Gloria in excelcis " now, 

A full-voiced organ swells. 
A surpliced choir, a smart quartette. 

Doth magnify the Lord. 
And somewhat of a sermonette 

Essays the Sacred Word. 
A holy incense fills the air, 

A mild religious gloom 
Pervades the congregation there. 

In silence like the tomb. 
Brisk dapper ushers wait to bow. 

Each sinner, saint or mourner. 
To his own pew — they own them now — 

There is no Amen Corner ; 
Memorial windows blaze intense. 

Recording life's brief story, 
— Of the old folks — who, departing hence 

Were received up into glory. 
They praised on earth, they smg on high, 

Nor may we hear again. 
Their glad refrain from the Amen Comer, 

That long-lost chord Amen. 



Thus many things have passed away. 
Which we shall see no more, 

14 



While ofttimes, better things than they, 

Have been kept back in store. 
But " dumb with silence " — Oh how drear 

The voiceless tents of Shem. 
I think wnth Paul, I'd rather hear 

An Amen now and then. 
Will He who made the blind to see. 

Give dumb lips speech again ? 
TTien pulpit, pew, and Amen Comer 

Shall unite in one glad Amen. 



MEMORIAL DAY 

The daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter 
of Jephtha. — Judges. 

1 

With muffled step we muster here. 

Where rest the nation's honored dead. 

While memory with a silent tear, 

Hallows the earth above their head. 

2 

We place upon each quiet breast. 

That flag for which they fought, and won. 

Who marched at Freedom's high behest, 
Nor halted till the work was done. 

3 

That flag they rescued, stripe nor star 

Was wanting, where they conquering stood. 

Though round it raged fraternal war, 

And swords were stained with brothers' blood. 

4 

" Ground arms," they heard the Captain call, 
"Lights out," the bugles echoed clear. 

Now mustered out, brave comrades, all 
In dreamless silence bivouac here. 

5 

Long years have fled since these have died. 
But on the Old Flag waving there. 

How the bright stars have multiplied. 
Stars for their crown, increasing fair. 

16 



GOOD FRIDAY 

God be merciful to me a sinner. — The Publican. 



Lord at thy feet with guilt weighed down, 

I penitently bow. 
It was my hand which placed the crown 

In scorn upon thy brow. 

2 

It was my sin, which caused thy shame, 

Thy sorrow, pain and loss, 
Which brought reproach upon thy name, 

And sent thee to the cross. 

3 

meekly-suffering Lamb of God 
(Who gave thy life, to prove 

By nail and thorn, by spear and rod, 
The measure of his love). 

4 

1 see thy sorrow, hear thy moan, 

Thy soul-despairing cry. 
Will God his only Son disown, 
Forsake and let thee die ? 

5 

Pray that from me my dying Lord, 

God's mercy be not hid ; 
" Father forgive " — repeat that word — 

I knew not what he did. 

17 



6 

That love which saved the dying thief, 
Who helpless, turned to thee, 

Can cleanse my sin, bring peace relief, 
Jesus remember me. 

7 

What guilt of man, what love divine. 

What gracious mystery, 
Conspire upon that cross of thine 

Which thou didst bear for me. 



18 



EASTER 

Declcired to be the the Son of God in power, by the 
resurrection from the dead. — Paul. 



Come see the place where your dear Lord is laid, 
Near by the cross stained with His dreadful 
wound. 
In anxious haste, while falls the evening shade. 

With myrrh in linen white. His limbs are bound. 
A stranger's tomb receives the homeless one, 

This Man of Sorrows smitten with our grief, 
Bearing our sinful burden as His own, 

Until the shameful cross brought His relief. 
He lived despised 

Rejected by His own. 
He died, they lay Him down 
On earth's rude heart of stone. 

2 

Come see the place where your dear Lord hath 
lain, 

A holy company is gathering near. 
The scattered flock, their faithful Shepherd slain. 

Return as timid lambs, to fold in fear. 
They came with spices, at the opening day, 

They saw in silent wonder through the dawn, 
The broken seal, the great stone rolled away, 

The open sepulchre, the Master gone ; 

19 



And where His head had lain 

And where His feet, 
Two white-robed angels bowed. 

Over the mercy seat. 

3 

" Come see the place " where once they lay His 
head. 
Then quickly go, to His disciples say. 
Why seek ye the living Christ among the dead ? 

He goes before you into Galilee, 
There shall ye see him. Thus the angel spake. 
Thou " Son of God in power," death's splendid 
foe. 
Who died, arose, ascended for our sake. 
Go thou before us wheresoe'er we go. 
Through life, through death. 

So may we follow on. 
And come safe home at last. 
Where thou thyself hast gone. 



20 



EASTER 

He is not here, for He is risen. — The Angel. 
1 

Bring the fresh flowers, this joyful Easter mom, 

When at the open tomb with songs you meet. 
Let them no longer droop, of light forlorn. 

But raise their heads, their risen Lord to greet. 
The night is past, the long night of the tomb. 

Which did the Sun of Righteousness eclipse. 
Leaving the world in deeper, sadder gloom, 

Now let the flowers open their glad lips. 
And pour their fragrance forth in odor sweet, 

— These sinless Magdalenes — around their 
Master's feet. 

2 
Bring spicy branch of cassia balm and myrrh. 

Yielding the holy oil an incense pure ; 
Rich scented sprays of cedar, pine and fir, 

And amaranths which, fadeless all, endure ; 
The victor palm, its broad leaf proudly borne. 

The valley lily, through spring meadows strown, 
The rose of Sharon, with its blood stained thorn, 

Blushing for crime and shame, but not its own. 
Bring all the flowers from garden, wood or plain. 

To strew His pathway back to life again. 

3 
Three days, three nights, love driven by despair. 
Sought Him through all the earth, but sought in 
vain, 

21 



She turned her steps toward heaven, nor was He 
there. 

Nor to be found in all the vast domain, 
Where angels dwell, where God, where men abide. 

Self-exiled, he had fled the realm of life. 
Had swiftly passed, beyond the Stygian tide, 

Fainting with many wounds, in mortal strife, 
Down to the under-world, in pain and moan, 

Where death held sway and claimed him for 

its OWTl. 

4 
There sin enthroned, exulted as He came. 

But seeing all the wounds her hands had made. 
Which brought Him thither, fled in endless pain. 
Death followed swift, with every horrid shade. 
So flies the night before the dawning morn. 

So shadows perish when the substance dies. 
So of despair triumphant hope was born, 

And through the tombhope's whispered echo 
flies, 
Christ came, Christ conquered, rose from death 
and pain. 
And we in Him also shall rise again. 
5 
Go then, sweet flowers, from the vacant tomb, 

— Blest Mary's— sent to dry the mourner's tears. 
And evermore with spring's returning bloom. 
Repeat the tidings down the coming years. 
Message of life from death have ye been made, 
Rising from earth's dark mould where Christ 
was laid. 

11 



EVENING HYMN 
1 

Hear us from thy throne O Father, 
Chanting low our vesper song. 

As the twilight shadows gather, 
Into night, dark lone and long. 

2 

Father of lights that knows no turning. 

Guard us safe from every ill. 
Till the night is gone, and morning. 

Finds thee our protector still. 

3 
Pardon Lord our faults through weakness. 

Guilt of every sin efface. 
Penitence bestow, with meekness. 

We beseech thee of thy grace. 

4 
God of mercy, be thou ever. 

With us on the way we go. 
Hope and strength for life's endeavor, 

Steadfast friend in joy or woe. 



23 



A PRAYER 



Father Almighty, resplendent in glory, 

Whom cherub, archaingel and seraph adore. 

Here at thy footstool, low-bending before thee, 
We supplicants come, thy favor implore. 

2 

From everlasting unto everlasting 

Thou art Jehovah, eternal thy sway. 

Swift as the shadows our brief lives are passing. 
As flowers, that flourish and fade in a day. 

3 
Like as a father, may thy loving-kindness 

Pity thy children, frail offspring of dust, 
Present, in weakness in sorrow and blindness. 

May thy rich mercy and love, be our trust. 

4 
Send us thy light, give us strength for life's duty. 

Breathe on us peace, and confirm us in love. 
Till we beholding the King in his beauty. 

Perfectly serve in the temple above. 



24 



AGNUS DEI 

I 

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 
Through thine all atoning blood 
Freely are we justified, 
Sinless who for sinners died. 



Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 
Thou this path of life hast trod, 
Guide our wa\"ward feet aright. 
Let thy pure life be our light. 

3 

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 
With protecting staff and rod, 
Faithful Shepherd, all thy sheep 
From the fierce destroyer keep. 



Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 

Thou didst enter that abode 

Where death reigned — and gloomy hel 

All their fearful powers to quell. 

5 

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 
Like a mighty \-ictor rode, 
Bringing trophies of the strife, 
Immortality and life. 

23 



6 

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 
To His Father's high abode, 
Thou ascended, to prepare 
For His own a mansion there. 

7 

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 
On the church didst send abroad 
Tongues of fire, the Holy Ghost, 
On the day of Pentecost. 

8 
Agnus Dei, Lamb of God. 
To thy pure bright blest abode, 
Bring us with the holy throng, 
Thee to praise in the new song. 



26 



CHRISTMAS 

Isaiah 9. 6. 

I 
" Unto us a child is born 

Unto us a Son is given." 
Hail the long expected morn, 

Hail the First-bom Prince of Peace. 

2 

See Him in the manger laid. 

What fond hopes, what glad surmise, 
Thrill the gentle mother-maid. 

Bending low with wondering eyes. 

3 
Shedpherds leave their silent folds, 

Eager haste to Bethlehem, 
While the angels' anthem rolls, 

" Peace on earth, good will to men." 

4 
Wizards, wandering from afar. 

Have their weary journey made, 
Guided by the lonely star. 

To the place where He is laid. 

5 

Wizard, shepherd, angel, star. 

Gather at the holy place ; 
Rapt in awe, transported are. 

Gazing on that infant face. 

27 



They their gifts before Him spread, 
Lay them lowly at His feet, 

And with bowed uncovered head. 
Pay their homage which is meet. 



Have we nothing here to bring. 
Myrrh nor frankincense nor gold. 

Tribute to the new born King, 
No return for love untold ? 



Praise ye then with mighty voice. 
Praise with timbrel, harp and lute 

While the hosts of heaven rejoice. 
Shall the lips of man be mute ? 



Bring your hearts ye sons of earth. 
Lay them on His holy shrine. 

So, within, a higher birth, 

May transform them all divine. 

10 

In the likeness of your Lord, 
God's own well beloved Son. 

Enter, thou incarnate Word, 
And the gracious work is done. 

28 



PEACE ON EARTH 
. 1 

When will the nations realize, 

That peace on earth, good will to men ? 
Angel-evangel from the skies. 

O'er Bethlehem. 

2 
Will peace indeed come down from God, 

To dwell with man and ne'er depart ? 
Will righteousness make its abode, 

His ruined heart ? 

3 

When righteousness shall fill the soul. 
Full as the ocean's swelling tide. 

Then peace will like a river roll, 
And still abide. 

4 

Rise, Sun of Righteousnesss, arise, 
Earth from her night of sin release. 

Bring forth on brighter morning skies. 
Thy bow of peace. 



29 



A MOSAIC 

Isaiah II. 1-9. 



A little child shall lead them, said 
The Prophet, as the Spirit led, 
To speak of Him whose kingly birth. 
Should bring God's reign upon the earth. 
He came, the Son of God, divine, 
The prince, of David's royal line. 

2 
From lowly crib a babe's soft eyes, 

Gazed on the heavens above ; 
When, from the ever watchful skies, 

Came messengers of love. 
Over the plains of Bethlehem, 
An angel throng 
Whose choral song 
Was peace on earth, good will to men. 

He beckoned with his tiny hand 

By infant strength upreared ; 
When in a far off Eastern land, 
The new bom star appeared, 
Which came and stood o'er Bethlehem 
And all the night. 
In splendor bright 
Shed peace on earth, good will to men. 

He uttered but one plaintive cry. 
And wise men far away, 

30 



Took up their gifts, and drawing nigh 

To where the young child lay, 

In swaddling clothes m Bethlehem. 

Bowed at the name 

Of Him who came 

With peace on earth, good will to men. 

Glad hearted shepherds leave their fold. 

By angel message thrilled, 
That God's great purpose from of old. 

Has surely been fulfilled, 
In David's house in Bethlehem, 
That on His throne 
God sets His Son 
For peace on earth, good will to men. 

Child led, they followed, found, adored. 

A Saviour who is Christ the Lord. 

3 
His scepter from the hand of God 
Received, He lifts the royal rod 
High over all, till wrong shall cease. 
And right forevermore increase 
In His name, lowly at His feet, 
His reign omnipotent complete. 
All knees shall bow, all tongues confess, 
The Lord, the King of righteousness. 
The wolf, the lion, leopard, bear, 
Which make the human heart their lair ; 
The brute in man, the savage lust. 
Trailing God's Image m the dust ; 

31 



The cockatrice whose fang is death, 

Asp double tongued, with venomed breath 

Chicane and smooth hypocrisies, 

The serpent coil of splendid lies; 

Pride, greed, oppression, envy, hate. 

Survivals of a meaner state. 

He comes to smite with righteous breath. 

Rod of his mouth whose stroke is death. 

To slay the earthly sensual, 

And rescue from the ancient thrall, 

To purify the sons of men, 

Nor blush to call them brethren. 



He comes, his Spirit to impart 
To every contrite willing heart. 

Spirit of counsel, knowledge, power, 
And wisdom, in the crucial hour. 
That man as God, may know to choose 
The good, the evil to refuse. 

Spirit of Light, a radiance 
Within the soul, dispersing thence 
Shadows long ages old, a ray 
That shineth unto perfect day. 

Spirit of Life, the breath of God, 
To vivify the sensuous clod, 
And bring forth, from the dust of earth, 
The nobler manhood to its birth. 

32 



5 
Man was in God, God was in man. 

In Christ, both reconciled in one. 
The first-huit of a primal plan, 

And purpose, through all ages run, 
And ever toward the goal, that here 

Might rise at last a perfect seed, 
Conform to Christ, his image bear, 

In wish and word, in will and deed. 

And Deity became a child. 

Teaching that we must children be, 
Holy and harmless, undefiled. 

And meek and lowly, such as he. 
That these alone the kingdom know. 

Or enter and its fullness share. 
How high God's mansions — but how low 

The gate, through which we enter there. 

6 
Beneath Jehovah's mountain 

Sweet waters have their birth, 
A full unfailing fountain 

Of healing for the earth. 
Bringing release from sadness, 

Respite from war and strife, 
For guilt a song of gladness. 

In righteousness of life. 

God's holy hill of Zion 
No evil shall annoy. 

33 



No ravening beast, no lion 
Shall come there to destroy, 

But lamb and bear together 
Shall he down m accord 

For earth shall be 
From sea to sea 

The garden of the Lord. 



34 



THE REDBIRD 

Behold the fowls of the air — 

Your Heavenly Father feedeth them — 

Are ye not much better than they? — Jesus. 

1 

It is winter's mom 

And the snow lies deep, 
From the ragged thorn 

I can hear a cheep. 
And a song, which blend 

In the frosty air, 
'Tis my Redbird friend, 

Pert debonair. 

2 
High on the bough 

Of the leafless tree. 
He is standing now 

In his topmost glee. 
The keen wind stings, 

He lifts his crest. 
And whistles and sings 

His very best. 

3 
Oh a careless chap 

Is the Redbird free. 
With his crimson cap 

In the icy tree. 
The snow may drive 

Through the shrieking air, 

35 



He will sing and thrive 
On his perch up there. 

4 
Man goes with his head 

Like a bulrush bowed. 
By night to his bed. 

By day with the crowd. 
The Redbird spareth 

Himself, and sings, 
This Gallic careth 

For none of these things. 

5 

He will break his fast 

On the scattered seeds. 
Which fall with the blast 

From the wind swept weeds. 
In his scarlet dress 

Rich bright and trim. 
Prince nor princess 

Is robed like him. 

6 
To-day there's enough 

To eat and to wear. 
To-morrow's far off 

He borrows no care. 
But sings to the sky 

His cheerful glee. 
The Father on high 

He careth for me. 

36 



THE CROCUS 

The fullness of Him that filleth all in all.— Paul. 

1 
HefcJd of spring, and first-bom of the year, 

Brave little flower, that dares the frost to face, 
Prophet of hope, that bids me not to fear. 

How bright, how holy, thou hast made this place. 

2 

Thy presence makes an altar of this sward ; 

Thy opened petals are a lowly shrine. 
Wherein appears the glory of the Lord, 

Transforming thee into a thing divine. 

3 

In pillard cloud and fire, in parted sea, 

In burning bush, God's presence we confess. 

And He has made this little flower to be, 
His tabernacle in the waldemess. 



37 



THE ECLIPSE OF THE MAN IN 
THE MOON 

I 

The jolly old Man in the Moon, 
Went courting a daughter of Mars, 

Went sailing off in his balloon, 
Beyond all the beautiful stars ; 

His face round and fat, 

His hair combed down flat. 

But in his excitement forgetting his hat. 

2 
Then all the old maids in the sky 

Got jealous as ever could be, 
And opened a mischievous eye 

When this strange adventure they see ; 
And said, w^e will rout 
This luny old lout, 
In half a jiffy, we'll hustle him out. 

3 
So, Miss Venus the lovely and fair. 

Miss Cassiopea the grand, 
Berenice with bright tangled hair. 

Miss Virgo persuasive and bland. 
Got the Dragon, and Lion, 
And mighty Orion, 
To help them to send off the crazy man flying. 

4 
Got the Great Bear, the Little Bear too, 
Aquarius and Archer, as well 

38 



As the whole of the Zodiac crew, 

To pursue him with hooting and yell ; 
And when the Great Crab, 
For his man made a grab, 
Ah ! you should have heard how he let out his gab. 

5 

Then old Mother Earth and her Sun, 

Took part in this wonderful race, 
And added some spice to the fun. 

While chasing the Moon to his place. 
For the Earth slyly slips 
Round the Sun in her trips. 
And smutted his face wtth a total eclipse. 

6 

Henceforth this good Man in the Moon, 
Stays home with his Luna quite well. 

Looks down on all lovers who spoon, 
And smiles at the lies which they tell. 

And says, now my rule 

Is to keep calm, and cool, 

So save all my quarters, and halves, and get full. 



39 



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